Saturday, March 17, 2018

March 17th, 2018

This week, we celebrated rainbows and all things St. Patrick's Day!

Our first order of business was to rainbow out the classroom.


This included our science experiment as we predicted what would happen if we placed white flowers in dyed water.  We carefully observed the stems and, drawing on information we learned about trees and leaves back in the fall, remembered that the water is circulated throughout the plant.



Then we added food coloring into each jar.  This also served as a color mixing lesson since we only had red, yellow and blue dye.  Our flowers smelled so good!

Unfortunately, this is what our flowers looked like within a day or two.  Every moment is a learning moment... especially for Ms. Sarah.

Fortunately, our replacement carnations were successful!

Throughout our week, we discussed los colores of the rainbow with Ms. Laura...

and we attempted to make a rainbow of our own!  We tested several objects to try and figure out which made the best rainbow.  We used a spray bottle...

blew bubbles...

and reflected the sunlight off a CD.

This week we also made shamrock collages...

because we're sham-rockin!

We made handprint leprechauns...

and cracked each other up with stories about the tricks their leprechaun pulls.

Some gems...





Preparing for the inevitable visit from tricky leprechauns on St. Patrick's Day, we examined various samples of leprechaun traps online and discussed their different qualities.

Then, we had an opportunity to exercise our speaking and listening skills as we each came up with ideas for a leprechaun trap.  With a table full of random materials, everyone had a turn presenting their ideas.  Afterwards, the team collaborated on which design they collectively liked best.




Later, we sketched precise scaled blueprints.



Finally, we began construction.







On Friday, we celebrated St. Patrick's Day by making a rainbow fruit kebob with Ms. Christina...

planting clovers...

playing with green, sparkly playdough...

watching their friend participate in her Irish dance recital...

and racing on rainbow racers.

When we went back inside, we discovered the leprechauns had sneaked inside the classroom when we weren't there.  A note and green footprints at each trap were all that was left behind.


Dear Red Team,
I climbed up your Lego stairs and I almost fell in!  But, I was able to get out without you trapping me!  I still got your gold!  Better luck next time!
 ~Brian O’Irelan

Dear Blue Team,
I came so close to getting trapped by the falling cup!  But, I escaped and I took your gold anyways!  Better luck next year! 
    ~Patrick O’Gold

Dear Green Team,
I wanted that pot of gold so bad, but I knew you were trying to trick me.  I got your pot of gold anyways and I didn’t get trapped.  I’ll see you next year! 
~Fun O'Shenanigans 

Dear Yellow Team,
I climbed up your ladder and almost fell in!  But, I balanced myself and didn’t get trapped.  Better luck next St. Patrick’s Day! 
~Paddy Wagon
Man, I've been trying to catch these leprechauns since 2011 and still haven't caught them!

As the old Irish blessing says:
May your friends always have your back...

and may the bubbles always be plentiful.

Happy Saint Patrick's Day!